By Dan Wallach

Updated 6:15 pm, Thursday, February 27, 2014

Jasper Chief of Police Rodney Pearson
Photo: File

Jasper Chief of Police Rodney Pearson

Rodney Pearson, a law enforcement officer with more than 20 years experience, is in the center of controversy, as he is photographed at home, Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2011, in Jasper, Texas. Pearson was named Chief of police in Jasper, by the city council, but was disputed by citizens in the community, which has sparked debate in the city, dividing the city along racial lines. Several citizens in Jasper have signed a petition asking to recall council members Terrya Norsworthy and her fellow councilmen Willie Land and Tommy Adams. ( Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle )
Photo: Karen Warren, Staff

Former Jasper police chief Rodney Pearson, that city's first African-American top cop who lost his job because of his race, settled a federal lawsuit against the city and other co-defendants for $831,000, the largest such employment discrimination settlement in Jasper County history and possibly in East Texas, Pearson's attorneys said today.

The lawsuit contended Jasper Mayor Mike Lout, in his capacity as owner of KJAS radio station, used Pearson's personnel file to portray Pearson as a "thief" and a "criminal" to "stoke racial animosity" in Jasper, said the Bernsen Law Firm in a prepared statement.

KJAS never mentioned Pearson's previous awards and commendations he received during his 20-year career with the Texas Department of Public Safety or his service as Jasper's volunteer fire chief.

The lawsuit contended the city of Jasper used a discriminatory "scoring system" to prevent Pearson's employment.

Pearson originally was hired Feb. 14, 2011, as interim chief, became full-time on April 22, 2011, and was terminated on June 11, 2011, after a recall election removed three black members of Jasper's city council and replaced them with a white majority.